Inn on the River goes green

Karl Thomas (left) of Inn on the River, accepts a Tennessee Green Hospitality certification from program administrator Dobbin Callahan.

PIGEON FORGE —

Inn on the River has been certified by the Tennessee Green Hospitality Program, an effort of the Tennessee Hospitality Association.

The program identifies hospitality businesses that recycle waste, make linen service optional, conserve energy and employ other sustainability-minded practices. Inn on the River, 2492 Parkway, is the first Sevier County hotel to be certified by the program.

At a Thursday meeting of the Pigeon Forge Hospitality Association, program administrator Dobbin Callahan presented the certification to Inn on the River's Karl Thomas. About 100 people attended the meeting, which was held in the timber-themed auditorium of Lumberjack Feud, 2713 Parkway.

"I hope more buildings become certified green, because it's good for business," Thomas said.

The green program also has certified hospitality association member Walters State Community College.

At the beginning of the meeting, the hospitality association presented the Smoky Mountain Boys & Girls Club a check for $7,500, proceeds from the association's annual golf tournament.

After committee reports, association president Phil Campbell presented year-end highlights. The group made charitable and other donations, he said, and it staged events including networking opportunities and a November salute to veterans. The group made its positions known at the state legislature, and it organized the Housing Bureau Task Force.

Campbell concluded by announcing that in May, the hospitality association will host the Born to Win Business Workshop. The series of talks will be presented by Tom Ziglar, son of motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, who died in November at age 86.

After a presentation by Lumberjack Feud CEO Rob Scheer, hospitality association members watched the lumberjack show.